Nettie L. Coad passed away on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Wesley Long Hospital. "Mama Nettie" touched countless lives in ways that cannot be adequately measured or expressed. Nettie was born on January 30, 1936 in Anderson, SC to the late James A. Lewis and Dessie Mae Lewis. In addition to her parents, a brother, James U. Lewis preceded her in death. She was a 1953 graduate of James B. Dudley High School and remained active on the campus and as a member of the National Alumni Association. She furthered her education at GTCC and The Marin Institute. Nettie married the late Willie R. Coad, Jr. in 1954. They were married 49 years until his passing in 2003. She was a founding member of Saint Paul Baptist Church. She served in various capacities including church secretary, choir member, missionary, ward member, scout leader and most recently on the anniversary planning committee. She was employed for twenty-three years at Sears, starting out as a packer in the catalog distribution center and retiring as an assistant manager. She would later become the Executive Director of The Partnership Project, working eighteen years there. If you knew Nettie, you knew of her tireless commitment to her community, her constant pursuit to involve people in anti-racism work, her tenacious convictions and her loving spirit. As one friend said, "You could not help but feel loved by her." Her accolades and accomplishments were numerous and beyond measure. Her passion and enthusiasm were contagious. Her legacy is not just the work she did, but the work yet to be done by those she inspired. To quote Nettie, "The most important aspect is that (the work) does not stay with me, it is shared." Those left to cherish her memory are: sons, Henry J. Lewis (Kym), W. Perry Coad (Diane) and James Sharper; granddaughters, Latoya Coad, Krystin McAdams (Matthew) and Jasmine Coad; great-grandchildren, Brittany, Xzavier and MaKaya; sisters, Nancy Lewis Alston, Nelda Kay Wallace and Weesie Person (Jimmy); special friend, Charles Gates and a host of loving family and friends. A wake will be held at Saint Paul Baptist Church, 1309 Larkin Street, Greensboro, from 6:30 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 13. The homegoing service will be held at Love and Faith Christian Fellowship, 4344 Blackberry Road, Greensboro, on Saturday, April 14 at 11 a.m. Perry J. Brown Funeral Home is assisting the family.